Mad Madge

Meet Margaret Cavendish, 17th-century philosopher, poet, playwright – a scandalous Jill-of-all-Trades and mistress of none. In her unapologetic pursuit of fame, Madge ditches her dysfunctional family to join the court of an unruly Queen and leave her mark on history.

Paying homage to Jane Austen and Tina Fey in the same breath, this laugh out loud contemporary-period mashup suggests that perhaps a woman’s hunger for unbridled attention is not so shallow, after all.

For Rose Napoli:
Dora Award nomination for Outstanding New Play for Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells)
Dora Award nomination for Outstanding Performance in The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh
One of NOW Magazine’s Top Ten Theatre Artists
“Rose Napoli’s Catherine is, dare I say, perfect” – Intermission Magazine on Wildwoman

Content Warning: this play contains partial nudity, haze and crude language.

Talkback and Panel Schedule

Friday, April 12 – Post-Show Talkback
Stay after the show and cozy up with the cast members for an informal, Q&A-style chat.

Saturday, April 13 (matinee) – Intentional Mis-Casting Panel
Join Director, Andrea Donaldson, and (Re)Setting the Stage Investigators: Keira Loughran, Jamie Robinson, and Marlis Schweitzer in a discussion on casting practices and conventions in Canada, and what it means when those conventions are broken.

Tuesday, April 16 – Theatricalizing History Panel
In the era of Bridgerton, Six: The Musical, and other contemporary-period mashups, we invite you to sit with Andrea Donaldson and Rose Napoli (director and playwright of Mad Madge), and Kat Sandler and Weyni Mengesha (the playwright/director and artistic director of Wild Woman at Soulpepper). Delve into the unique balance of commemoration and creativity needed to tell these historical tales on today’s stages.

Wednesday, April 17 – Econoscenography & Sustainable Designing Panel
In a play about excess, inside of an already-ephemeral art form, is it possible to make a zero-waste show? Join the Set, Costume & Props Designers, Astrid Janson, Abby Esteireiro, and Merle Harley, along with director Andrea Donaldson as they unpack the challenges, possibilities, and necessities of designing sustainably.

Friday, April 19 – Post-Show Talkback
Last chance to stick around the cast members for a casual, Q&A-style discussion.